Report: Mutchler to lead McNeil

NEW YORK — Johnson & Johnson on April 4 will install Pat Mutchler as head of the McNeil Consumer Healthcare unit, according to a Wednesday evening Associated Press report.

According to the report, Johnson & Johnson said the changes will allow the company to "give focused attention to quality and compliance, and the critical task of restoring McNeil Consumer Healthcare brands."

McNeil has had to announce some 20 recalls of iconic brands, including Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl and Rolaids, since September 2009. J&J reported Mutchler will be in charge of the McNeil business. He also will lead other divisions, including McNeil Nutritionals, Wellness & Prevention and the company’s joint venture with Merck.

The global consumer businesses will be organized by region — North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Europe/Middle East/Africa. The AP reported that Grace Castano will lead J&J’s Asia-Pacific business, Jose Justino will lead the Europe/Middle East/Africa unit, Roberto Marques will be chairman for North America and Susan Rivetti will be in charge of the Latin America division.

Prestige Brands introduces new allergy product

IRVINGTON, N.Y. — Prestige Brands on Wednesday announced the launch of a new one-dose-per-day allergy medicine: PediaCare 24-Hour Allergy.

"We listened to what the moms were looking for: a safe and effective allergy product for their children, ages 2 years and up, that works, has only one dose per day and tastes good," stated Sherry Polevoy, PediaCare senior brand manager. "Parents don’t have to worry about redosing during the day, it’s dye-free and it’s a flavor that kids love: grape."

In addition to the extensive product line offerings, PediaCare also has developed a new comprehensive website at Pediacare.com, which features a symptom-checker/product-selector that helps guide parents to select the PediaCare product that best addresses the symptoms their child is experiencing. The new PediaCare website also has the PediaCare Shopper’s Guide iPhone application, which can be downloaded for free.

McNeil announces third recall of 2011

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. — McNeil Consumer Healthcare on Tuesday recalled one product lot of the analgesic Tylenol 8 Hour extended-release caplets 150-count bottles distributed in the United States, and three brands at the wholesale level.

“McNeil is taking this action as part of our ongoing surveillance and monitoring efforts that identified a small number of complaints of a musty or moldy odor,” the company stated, specifically referencing only the Tylenol 8 Hour recall. The lot number found on the label on the side of the bottle is ADM074; UPC Code 300450297181.

Consumers who purchased product from the lot included in this recall should stop using the product and contact McNeil Consumer Healthcare, either at Tylenol.com or by calling (888) 222-6036.

The uncharacteristic odor is thought to be caused by the presence of trace amounts of chemicals called 2,4,6-tribromoanisole, or TBA, and 2,4,6-trichloroanisole, or TCA.

Separately, McNeil Consumer Healthcare is adding 10 lots of other products to a wholesale level recall the company originally initiated on Jan. 14. That recall was conducted as a precautionary measure after a review of past production records found instances where equipment cleaning procedures were insufficient or that cleaning was not adequately documented. That recall did not require any action by consumers or healthcare providers.

For a list of the additional lot numbers included in the latest recall, click here.

Thanks for the update. This year, a number of people might wonder about why there is apparently such a dearth of Tylenol on pharmacy shop shelves. For the past couple of years, there have been a series of Tylenol shortages, which are continuing though a lot of generic brand acetaminophen is accessible. Read more from: Flu on rampage amid reports of Tylenol shortages.

S.Mindrebosays:Mar-30-2011 11:22 am

I’m baffled that the 750,000 bottles in this last recall were manufactured in the Fort Washington, PA facility that has been closed for a year now. Was the first recall not expansive enough? It scares me to think of what went on in that plant before the FDA took over. These recalls seem to have been steadily reoccurring over the last 12 months, but I can’t imagine the company’s costs and damages surpass the injury of the consumer. So many people have suffered illnesses, including liver failure from quality issues and accidental overdoses. Hopefully this is the last of them. Regards, SK – http://www.Tylenol-Attorney.com/

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